1934 Mercedes-Benz 500 K

This 1934 Mercedes-Benz 500 K is one of 342 examples built with power from a supercharged 5.0-liter engine between 1934 and 1936 and was delivered new with Cabriolet B coachwork via Reijenga’s Automobielbedrijf in The Hague, Netherlands, on October 2, 1934. Chassis 105179 is said to have endured the destruction of its body during World War II before being purchased in the 1960s by the owner of the Aalholm Automobil Museum, Baron J.O. Raben-Levetzau, who commissioned the fabrication of a replacement body before displaying the car at his museum. It remained in the Aalholm museum before the collection’s liquidation in 2012, at which time it was purchased by the seller. A subsequent seven-year refurbishment performed by marque specialist Jim Friswold of Oregon included the fabrication of reproduction long-tail Special Roadster bodywork as well as an overhaul of the M24 OHV inline-eight to a displacement of approximately 5.1 liters. Finished in burgundy over tan leather, the car is also equipped with a Roots-type supercharger, a single updraft carburetor, a four-speed manual transmission with an overdrive top gear, vacuum-assisted hydraulic drum brakes, four-wheel independent suspension with a swing-axle rear, 17” body-color wire wheels, a rumble seat, and a dark brown convertible top that can be stowed under a flush body-color panel. Following completion of the refurbishment, the car won four best-in-show awards and was highlighted by Jay Leno and Donald Osborne as part of the Pebble Beach Classic Car Forum in 2019. This W29 is now offered with a 190-page book documenting the 2012-2018 refurbishment, photos and invoices from the project, a copy of its factory order sheet, a jack, and a bonded Montana title in the name of the seller’s LLC that lists the car as a 1936 model. The 500 K was first unveiled as the “500 with supercharger” in fixed-roof form at the March 1934 International Motor and Motorcycle Show in Berlin. In the following months, several additional body styles were introduced on two variations of the 3,290mm-wheelbase chassis, the sportier of which had the engine, radiator, and steering box positioned over 10cm rearward of the standard setup. The Special Roadster design was first offered in late 1934 before the arrival of an updated version in late 1935 that included a long tail. The rear body work also features a spare wheel under a flush-mounted metal cover. After damage to its original four-seat, four-window Cabriolet B coachwork, this example previously wore a replacement body before being fitted under current ownership with a new steel Special Roadster body built by Minnesota fabricator Cass Nawrocki. Comprising steel panels over white ash wood framework, the body is finished in burgundy and features rear-hinged doors with wing-shaped handles, a rear-set V-shaped radiator, vented hood panels through which external exhaust pipes pass, 12-inch Bosch headlights, a central fog light, a split-V windshield, cowl lamps that host side mirrors, trafficators, and a fan-tail exhaust outlet. The dark brown convertible top can be lowered beneath a body-color cover between the front seats and the rumble seat. Body-color wire wheels feature bright two-eared knock-offs with body-color accents as well as chrome wheel weights. Michelin Confort SS tires measuring 6.50/7.00-17 are mounted at each corner. A matching spare is concealed in a recessed compartment under a body-color metal cover, a design introduced for later Special Roadsters in lieu of the earlier variant’s exposed spares. Stopping is handled by four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes with assistance from a Dewandre servo. The servo was rebuilt during the refurbishment, and the master cylinder is said to have been replaced in 2024. The cabin is said to have been upholstered during the 2012-2018 project by Ken Dickman and is trimmed in tan leather with burgundy piping while matching upholstery covers the door panels, upper dash, and rumble seat. Additional features include color-keyed wool carpeting, roll-up windows, door pockets, cowl vents, dual electric windshield wipers, dual gloveboxes, and a hidden electrical cutoff switch. The seller notes that the door key has been lost. The four-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of a burgundy-trimmed dash with an imitation mother-of-pearl inlay hosting Veigel instrumentation including a 200-km/h speedometer, a 4k-rpm tachometer, a clock, and gauges monitoring coolant temperature, fuel level, and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer shows 74k kilometers (~46k miles), approximately 140 of which have been added under current ownership. True mileage is unknown. The M24 I inline-eight was overhauled during the refurbishment and is said to have received a displacement increase to approximately 5.1 liters in lieu of the factory specification of 5,018cc. Features include overhead valves, a dual-throat updraft carburetor, and a Roots-type supercharger designed to engage at full throttle. Output was factory rated at 160 horsepower during supercharger engagement and 100 horsepower without supercharger assistance. The supercharger is said to have been rebuilt during the refurbishment, but according to the seller, it has been disabled due to difficulty shutting off. An electric fuel pump has been added, although a gravity-feed auxiliary fuel tank is retained beneath the dash. Service in preparation for the sale included an oil change and a coolant flush. The seller notes that the car has been operated on 100-octane fuel since the overhaul. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission with an overdrive top gear and synchromesh on the three highest gears. Suspension incorporates a coil-sprung double-wishbone front setup and a dual-pivot swing axle rear arrangement with two coil springs per side. Lever-arm hydraulic shock absorbers are utilized at each corner. The car is equipped with a foot-operated central lubrication system. Chassis number 105179 is shown stamped on the engine block in a photo taken prior to the engine’s overhaul. Images from the 2012-2018 project are viewable in the photo gallery below, and a 190-page book detailing the project is included in the sale along with a custom car cover, touch up paint, and a reprint of the owner’s manual. Accolades earned by the car in 2019 included best-in-show awards at the Keels & Wheels Concours d’Elegance, Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase, Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival, and Carmel Mission Classic as well as a people’s choice award at the Westlake Classic Car Show. A video of Jay Leno and Donald Osborne discussing the car during the Pebble Beach Classic Car Forum in 2019 can be viewed in the video gallery below. The Montana title is bonded with a note that the bond expires on December 1, 2026.